Population (2010) 6,301 Introduction East Alton became a community primarily because of railroads and a large ammunition plant. The railroad tracks still carve up the city (which side of the tracks did you grow up on?), and that ammunition plant is still around, too. History
Population (2010) 2,819 Introduction Once a bustling port at the confluence of two of the biggest rivers in the US, Cairo (pronounced CARE-o) today is a shell of its former self. The reasons for its shocking decline aren’t too hard to figure out. History The
Population (2010) 4,138 Introduction Nearly as old as neighboring Cahokia, Dupo began as a small French colonial agricultural settlement, then the railroad turned it in into a boomtown nearly overnight. The railroad is still around, and, unlike its neighbors, Dupo has seen a steady population growth for the past
Population (2010) 27,006 Introduction East St. Louis is often derided for its contemporary corruption (or perception of corruption), but the reality is that the city is in the shape it is today because of poor planning, exploitation by industrial interests, and corruption that began with the town’s founding. The
Population (2010) 1,890 Introduction The third leg of the old Tri-Cities region (with Madison and Granite City), Venice has been around longer than the other two but has arguably suffered more as the area’s factories closed. The city today is a shell of its former self, having lost 70%
Population (2010) 673 Introduction Elsah was built into a ravine along Askew Creek at the base of the bluffs. It’s easy to miss as you zip by on the highway but take time to slow down and detour through the narrow streets. Tucked tightly into a small valley, you’ll
